ArTIC-M&S: An Architecture for Tosca-Based Inter-Cloud Modeling and Simulation

Abstract

Modeling & Simulation (M&S) techniques have proven their effectiveness for several intended uses, from complex systems analysis to innovative training activities. The emerging M&S-as-a-Service (MSaaS) paradigm deals with the adoption of service-orientation and cloud computing to ease the development and provision of M&S applications. Due to its relevance for the military domain, the NATO MSG-164 is investigating how the MSaaS potential can be exploited to support NATO objectives. In this context, this work proposes ArTIC-MS, a MSaaS architecture that aims at investigating innovative approaches to ease the building of inter-cloud MSaaS applications. ArTIC-MS's main objective is to provide an effective interoperability among M&S services provided by different nations to seamlessly build complex MSaaS applications. Specifically, the work addresses the use of the TOSCA (Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications) standard, and also discusses how ArTIC-MS may cope with the orchestration of M&S services available on non-TOSCA infrastructures.